Gyroscopically stabilized car/motorcycle thing

So yeah, this thing exists. Well, at least some pretty interesting looking prototypes of it do. It’s the C-1 from Lit Motors (anyone else think that’s a reference which belongs in /r/trees?). The idea here is that the small form-factor of a motorcycle is very efficient and easily maneuverable. But the cage protecting the passenger from harm, and the canopy keeping the elements out give it some of the desirable traits of a car.

Design aside, check out the video after the break. The prototype uses two horizontally positioned gyroscopes placed beneath the passenger seat, just in front of the rear wheel. The builders take it out on a hockey rink and give it a few kicks and slide a few tires into it. Sure, it reacts to the impact but it doesn’t fall over.

And you expected what? A hovercraft? A two wheel platform with this sort of expected duty is going to have strong similarities across all models, as long as it is used in earth-like environments. Of course they look similar, *they’re motorcycles*! Likewise, a four wheel platform with a transportation duty is going to have strong similarities across all models.

Saying this looks like the bike from Tron is essentially the same as saying that a Camry looks like a Elantra. Of course they look similar… *they’re cars*!!!

With a scissored pair of CMGs you can actually force a lowside for safety during the crash. Anything this small in a high speed crash isn’t going to fare well, but if it gets people away from the necessity of dragging around thousands of extra pounds of car along with them everywhere then I’m all for it.

I read up on the Russian model from a century ago, and others. Nowhere on the web does the 1965 zine cover don’t remember the name. One of those small format pulp science type not Pop Sci. Sleek enclosed and in development, haven’t seen of it since.

I for one love this idea, I really hope something comes out of it. It seems people commenting here are more worried about their masculinity and are unable to appreciate the pure awesomeness of this project.

How can this work in motion? A bicycle (motor or not) needs to lean into a corner to remain balanced if this keeps the bike virticle how does it corner.
Like ABS brake systems this gyro will be best used only while not moving. Turn off to ride?

Lets see some simple frames and spinning disks before we put on the gell-coat and turn signals.

It could be that using an accelerometer/gyroscope sensor setup combined with sensing the steering allows the ‘brains’ of the vehicle to detect the natural forces involved when cornering and so allow the vehicle to tilt by tilting the gyroscopes.
But any sudden movements (like a crash) and the gyroscopes wouldn’t be allowed to tilt.

Because the giros only have to stabilize at low speed. At high speed, inertia and the wheels take over that function.
Thus the giros can be spun up by harvesting break energy, store that energy and stabilize the vehicle at the same time during stand still or slow speed and subsequently release the energy to get the vehicle going again while the giros spin down.
Double Performance, halve consumption!

The same thing that happens to a traditional motorcycle that looses power… rider balances motorcycle with steering wheel while pulling off to the side of the road. While decelerating through 5mph to a full stop, they will have to use their foot … as a traditional bike does.